Air Jordan 1 as Contemporary Art: A Cultural Icon
The article explores the idea that sneakers, particularly the Air Jordan 1, can be considered works of art. It reflects on the visual influences of artists born in the 1980s, previously categorized in a binary structure of 'street' and 'technology' in the 2017 book 'Dalla strada al computer e viceversa' (Libri Aparte). The death of Peter Moore (1944-2022), designer of the Air Jordan 1 and Adidas three stripes, prompted the author to see the sneaker as a unifying icon. Debuting in 1985 on Michael Jordan, the Air Jordan 1 revolutionized sportswear and culture, with Nike collaborating with Spike Lee and Futura2000. The article cites the Swoosh experiment (1996-2000) by Sartoria Comunicazione, blending sports and culture, and Virgil Abloh (1980-2021), who treated shoes as art in his work and the book 'Icons. Something’s Off' (Taschen, 2021). Air Jordan 1s are auctioned at Sotheby's for $15,000 per pair.
Key facts
- Peter Moore, designer of Air Jordan 1 and Adidas three stripes, died in 2022.
- Air Jordan 1 debuted in 1985 on Michael Jordan.
- Air Jordan 1s are auctioned at Sotheby's for $15,000 per pair.
- Nike collaborated with Spike Lee and Futura2000.
- Swoosh experiment by Sartoria Comunicazione ran from 1996 to 2000.
- Virgil Abloh published 'Icons. Something’s Off' with Taschen in 2021.
- The book 'Dalla strada al computer e viceversa' was published in 2017 by Libri Aparte.
- The article was published in Artribune Magazine #67.
Entities
Artists
- Peter Moore
- Michael Jordan
- Spike Lee
- Futura2000
- Virgil Abloh
Institutions
- Nike
- Adidas
- Sotheby's
- Sartoria Comunicazione
- Taschen
- Libri Aparte
- Artribune